The Juice Plus+ Jamboree: Inspiring Kids to Help Kids

Since 2002, The Juice Plus+ Company has been the Presenting Sponsor and a hometown partner of the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. It’s one way we give back through the Juice Plus+ Foundation, reaching the communities we serve and supporting organizations that share our commitment to children’s health and nutrition. Dozens of our employees, family members and friends participate as part of Team Juice Plus+ to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Last year, Team Juice Plus+ raised more than $50,000 placing us in the Top 5 of the large company category of the Corporate Challenge.

While many employees run the marathon or cheer at the 10-mile marker Spirit Station, we realized that some were still looking for a way to get involved. At the urging of Erin Martin, Marathon Race Director, we decided to promote the kids marathon within The Juice Plus+ Company. It was the perfect way to get our employees and their families more engaged.

Children under 12 can participate as “marathoners,” walking either a half or full marathon in the months leading up to race day, with an adult logging their miles as they go. Then, as part of the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend, the kids get to walk – or run – the last mile on race day, earning a real marathon medal. They have a fundraiser page, just like official marathon participants, and raise money for the kids of St. Jude.

So, how do you convince little kids to exercise for St. Jude? With face painting and a water balloon fight, of course! On August 1, 2015, The Juice Plus+ Company and its employees, along with friends and families, came together for the Second Annual Juice Plus+ Jamboree. Fitness Specialist, Tiffany Evans, with St. Jude spoke to the families about the life changing work of the Memphis-based Children’s Hospital, which is an international leader in cutting-edge research into pediatric catastrophic diseases. Our kids laughed, enjoyed giant water slides and pelted their parents with 1,000 water balloons.

While we had a blast, our Juice Plus+ employees were most thankful for another way to support an organization that is changing lives, all while teaching our kids about the importance of exercise and giving back. We look forward to seeing our colleagues, friends and families come together as Team Juice Plus+ on race day, December 5, 2015!